An exquisite and important Swiss gold and enamel Imperial Presentation snuff box for Grand Duke Paul Petrovich (later Tsar Paul I) and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna (later Tsarina) of Russia, circa 1780, the lid centered with an enameled cartouche having the conjoined monograms of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, the edge of the lid and the sides of the box bordered with elaborate floral and foliate motifs in white, teal and pink painted enamel; marked inside the lid and inside the base with the maker’s marks and the assay marks; the right rim flange having a later French import mark for gold. Dimensions: 1 1/2″ h x 3 1/4″ w x 2 1/2″ d (3.8 x 8.2 x 6.3 cm).

Provenance: Sotheby’s New York, June 23, 1983, Lot 107.